WASHINGTON (WJZ) — Governor Martin O’Malley gets down to business at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night. He’ll address the delegates in a speech scheduled for 10 p.m.

Political reporter Pat Warren spoke to the governor by phone.

One rule of combat in a war of words is to avoid shooting yourself in the foot. Governor O’Malley started the week explaining what he meant when, on CBS’ Face the Nation, he said Americans are not better off now than they were four years ago.

“No [you can't say people are better off now than they were four years ago], but that’s not the question of this election,” O’Malley said.

O’Malley is also trying to sidestep speculation on his own presidential aspirations. Baltimore Sun video of the Maryland delegation Tuesday morning sounds like he wants to avoid calling his speech Tuesday night his three minutes of fame.

“I’m excited about tonight; I’m very excited about tonight. I get to have my three minutes of talking tonight and while I’m there, I’ll need all of you to cheer loud,” he said.

The DNC platform gives O’Malley a chance to let Democrats see how far he’s come from his 2004 address. He takes the stage Tuesday night as a more seasoned statesman and speaker.

Of course, this is important for Governor O’Malley’s political future, especially if he’s considering a run for president in 2016. Right now, he says he’s all about Obama.